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Thursday, August 13, 2015

Book Review: The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig

Generally I only review books on this blog that have been given to me for that purpose or because they have been recommended to me in some way. I don't usually review books that I read for my own enjoyment, but I'm making an exception for The Lure of the Moonflower, the twelfth and final book in the Pink Carnation series. Here's my review:

I have been waiting for and dreading this book. I started back in 2004 with The Secret History of the Pink Carnation and have faithfully read every one of the twelve books in the series as well as the novellas, Lauren's FB posts, and all her other books. I knew that this was going to be the last book in a series that I love.
One of the reasons I love these books is that they are so well researched. Very few other Regency romance books have notes and sources at the end. The other thing that sets them apart is the modern component. The Regency stories are intermixed with chapters about Eloise, an American in England researching her doctoral thesis and Colin, the erstwhile descendent of the spies that Eloise is researching. The progression of their romance and adventures through the books has been fun and it is quite satisfying to finally see them wed with some very funny moments.
Jane is the Pink Carnation, the spy who with other friends and family has been frustrating Napoleon and his own spymasters. She finally has her own happy ending with the Moonflower, Jack, who is also the son of Miss Gwen's new husband, Colonel Reid. They have various adventures traveling through Portugal in an attempt to rescue Queen Maria from the French. Many of my favorite characters from the other books make appearances including Miss Gwen and her purple sword parasol, the Purple Gentian, Richard Selwick, his sister Henrietta and her biscuit eating husband Miles, and Lizzie Reid, Jack's little sister. I would have liked to see Tulip one more time, but now I have an excuse to go back and reread the series.
It's a wonderful read and a fine ending to a terrific series. Bravo, Ms. Willig.